Holiday Travel Chaos Looms as Government Shutdown Threatens Aviation Industry

Vice President JD Vance on Thursday issued a stark warning that a government shutdown extending into the Thanksgiving travel season could cause widespread chaos. He called on Democrats to help avert a crisis by reopening the government, highlighting the potential for severe employee shortages and flight disruptions.

Vance, speaking after a White House meeting with major airline CEOs, pointed to a surge in flight delays due to air traffic controller absences, emphasizing the economic stress already felt. The airlines are urging Congress to pass a continuing resolution to enable government operations while debates over health care policies proceed.

Transportation officials reported the shutdown's disastrous impact on thousands of flights due to staffing shortages, as airlines scramble to maintain safety and efficiency. With authorities struggling to manage existing workloads, further unscheduled absences could compound disruptions, mirroring past government shutdowns.